Forza Horizon 6 gives Game Pass its next must-play

By Paulo Vargas Published May 20, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 is available now through Game Pass, and it’s easily one of Microsoft’s most important additions this month.

The new racer comes to cloud, Xbox Series X/S, handheld devices, and PC for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. That reach gives the Forza Horizon 6 Game Pass release a wider lane than a traditional console launch, with Microsoft putting one of its biggest franchises across the screens it now treats as part of Xbox.

Japan is the headline draw. Xbox describes it as the series’ biggest driving adventure yet, and the setting gives the game an instant identity before players even choose a car.

Forza Horizon 6 moves the series to Japan, a setting fans have wanted for years. The map gives the day-one release a clearer personality, from dense city streets to mountain routes and countryside drives.

The game also leans on changing seasons, shifting weather, neon streets, and more than 550 real-world cars. That combination gives Game Pass a release with scale, visual punch, and an easy selling point in a crowded month of new additions.

Plenty of games rotate through the catalog. A Japan-set Forza can sell the fantasy in one image.

Access is tied to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, not every tier Microsoft sells. Players checking the app should look closely at their plan before assuming Forza Horizon 6 Game Pass access is included.

Microsoft is also pushing the game outside the living room. Cloud support and handheld availability make this a portable showcase for a series that once felt built around a big screen and a controller.

For Microsoft, it’s the kind of day-one first-party release that gives the May lineup a clear anchor. For subscribers, it’s a straightforward test of whether the current plan delivers the games they actually want to play.

Forza Horizon 6 is the main Game Pass draw today, but the practical question is where you plan to play it. Console players need Xbox Series X/S, while PC players need PC Game Pass or Ultimate.

If you already have Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, this should be the first download to make room for. If you don’t, the subscription makes the most sense for players who want to try a major first-party racer before committing to a full purchase.